15/09/2025
Janet’s Mentoring Monday:
As I tell students in obedience classes, "One hour a week is not going to train your dog." Neither is it enough time for a handler to develop good habits. Practicing everything taught in each session is vital to becoming an effective leader at the end of the leash. Dogs are pack animals who want direction. They'll look to the person in the household they think will be the best leader: the one who creates structure that keeps the pack safe. Dogs test limits, just like rebellious teenagers. Calmly correcting improper behavior and rewarding good behavior lets dogs know where the boundaries are. Consistency is important, and repetition creates habits. Set aside time to do your homework, reinforce what you and your dog are both learning. As Mary reminds us, every day, is a training opportunity!"
